Quaggy Nursery at Margaret Bondfield

Warm care and uneven mathematics teaching define the choice at Quaggy Nursery at Margaret Bondfield. At its January 2026 inspection, Ofsted judged welfare and wellbeing, inclusion, and leadership and governance to be Strong standard, with achievement, behaviour and routines, and curriculum and teaching at Expected standard; safeguarding standards were met. Those separate judgements matter more than a single headline: care and inclusion received stronger judgements than curriculum and teaching overall, with older children's mathematics the specific teaching concern.

The nursery accepts children from 3 months to 60 months at 77 Raglan Road, London, SE18 7LB.

In January 2026, learning placed communication, movement and wellbeing together. The early years foundation stage is the framework for children's learning, development and care: here, activities included drawing family members, making music and practising physical skills. Babies used furniture to pull themselves upright, while preschool children balanced on wooden blocks and played with balls. These were practical experiences rather than desk-based tasks.

Music offered another way to participate. In January 2026, children copied drum sounds individually before playing together, exploring changes in volume; staff paired spoken instructions with visual prompts. Outings to nearby shops and parks extended learning into the surrounding community, while reused cardboard became material for artwork. Neither activity needs an elaborate programme name to have a clear purpose.

Mathematics was less consistent for older children in January 2026. Counting accompanied toddlers putting on shoes, but staff sometimes missed opportunities to build more demanding mathematical understanding into older children's activities. Leaders had started training and monitoring to address this, although the changes had yet to become consistent across age groups.

At the January 2026 inspection, Ofsted found effective SEND support through collaboration with families and speech and language therapists, alongside individual activities developing attention and social skills. For families whose children need additional help, the useful detail is the combination of professional input and work with the individual child.

In January 2026, babies received affectionate, responsive care from their key persons, and staff offered comfort or quieter activities when children became tired or unsettled. Visual timetables helped children with SEND anticipate changes. Daily exchanges kept parents informed, and staff worked with families on toilet training, connecting routines at home and nursery.

Home-cooked food and nutritious snacks formed part of the January 2026 day, with children of different ages sharing mealtimes. Younger children received help to feed themselves, while older children practised serving, pouring and clearing away.

Opening hours are 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. The nursery operates across the year, closing for bank holidays and Christmas. Its address is 77 Raglan Road, London, SE18 7LB.

• Older children's mathematics. In January 2026, teaching did not consistently stretch older children's mathematical understanding. At a visit, ask how everyday play now develops those skills.
• Explaining rules. In January 2026, staff sometimes stopped unwanted behaviour without explaining its consequences. Families should explore how children are helped to understand why a rule matters.
• Your attendance plan. The weekday opening window runs from 8am to 6pm. Before joining, ask which booking pattern fits your child's routine and what the written quotation includes for meals and consumables.

Quaggy merits consideration for families who prioritise responsive care and individual support: its January 2026 assessment gives concrete examples of both. It also suits parents seeking weekday care across the year. For older preschool children, the mathematics concern deserves attention alongside the strengths in care; understanding rules was the other clear improvement point.